The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-03-19
KIN DIN GS.
BY HELEN JACKSON.

There are few things about which 1t Is
so certain that 10 two people will agree
as about the best way of making fire;
few things about which the average per-
son is so clearly, obstinately, invincibly
sure that his own way is the best way
in fact, the only way in which really
satisfactory result can be attained. Into
many a married life that Is In all other
respects as harmonious and amicable as
the exigencies of human nature will al
low, there enters bitter and endless
controversy every autumn, with the SET
ting up of the fre-irons. The so-called
domestic hearth" becomes permanent
battle ground, on which family factions
wage daily warfare, for which is neither
truce nor surrender, till merclful spring
extinauishes simultaneously the folds OF
both discord and fuel, and the fireboard
is erected, temporary headstone, at the
spot where the Ratchet lies temporarily
buried, sure Of speedy resurrection.
There is one point, however, on which
the combatants have agreed; and that is,
the necessity of kindlings. He who puts
the kindlings at top of the pile, and she
who puts them at the bottom q think 1
am right in the discrimination OF sex
here. At any rate have never yet met
with a woman who made fires upside
down, and have heard men argue by the
hour to prove that only so they were right
side up), each alike demands kndlings as
a sine qua non Of good fire.
So essential are they to the quick and
successful lighting of fires, so much does
the comfort of ones winter depend upon
a generous and never failing supply OF
them, that their absence or presence ls
almost test Of the quality OF housekeep-
ing, an indication OF the plane and stand
ard which will be found in many other
matters. There is even tradition of
New England funeral at which a SORROW
ing relative was overheard to say OF the
departed, bringing in the statement at
the end of long list of virtues, spiritual
and secular: sand he was master hand
as a provider. I don't b'leeve his wife's
ever known what it was to be out of
kindlin's onc't sense they've been to
housekeepin'
This might have been true of the sort
of kindlings which wood piles furnish;
but she was indeed an extre 1inarily
happy woman if she were never once out
of the sort of kindlings which are need
full to start and keep going those more
precious inner fires on whose light, warmth
and cheer depends the happiness OF daily
life. GAIL out of kindlings," wet kin
dlinge," "not half enough kindlings y
these are the words which in many IN
stances explain the material discomfort
of chilly rooms, poorly cooked food, colds
and illnesses innumerable. The same
phrases are pertinent to the much great
or discomfort of chilly hearts, poorly
nourished souls, stunted affections, wear
isome days, sins and shortcomings innu-
merable. San out Of kindlings," "wet
kindlings," mot half enough kindlings."
no home is happy where these words
can be metaphorically applied.
Almost anything viii do for kindlings,
SO it is properly split or cut and dried
old boxes, shayings, dead boughs, chips;
the luxury of "boughten kindlinRs is
unknown in many a house where roaring
fires and generous warmth, with all that
they count for and accomplish, are never
lacking.
SO with the metaphorical kindlings
which the human heart Graves. Almost
anything viii do for them, too. No one
SO poor he need be without them, need
deny them 10 his family, or is to be ex-
cused for forgetting them. Never pen
ny need be spent for them from one
years end to the other.
Once, at the Armenian convent of San
Lazaro, in Venice, tasted delicious